By
Maxx Wolfson and Ryan Finley
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Senior linebacker proving to be defensive leader
Less than a month ago, senior linebacker Adrian Koch was convinced that his season was over.
The 5-foot-9 native Tucsonan had torn the anterior crucient ligament in his knee. The injury, usually devastating to a football player, leaves athletes without the ability to pivot without excruciating pain.
So Koch did what his heart told him - after spending an afternoon crying on the sidelines of UA's summer training camp in Cochise, the senior did something few athletes in his position would do - he came back. Taped it up. Started wearing a brace. Got used to the pain.
"I remember when he was on the sidelines, bawling, because he thought he was done," UA head coach Dick Tomey said. "But he strapped on a brace and manages to play with no ACL. "
Koch, a former Marine who was stationed in Somalia, Cuba and Bosnia during his tour of duty, continues to ignore the pain in his knee, convinced that he can go on without full use of his knee.
Koch was crying again Saturday night. Sure, the pain was still there, but a triumphant Koch could hardly feel his torn knee.
The senior had recovered a fumble for a touchdown early in the third quarter en route to a 17-3 UA victory against Utah.
"Some things are meant to be," Tomey said. "When I saw Koch score the touchdown, my mind flashed back to that day at Cochise. It is the kind of thing that makes the world go round."
Koch knows that this season's team is a special one.
"For everyone that doubts us and thinks that we have a mediocre team," he sobbed, "(I know that) we have a special team."
Sitting in a darkened tunnel at Rice-Eccels Stadium surrounded by reporters, Koch was seemingly more intent on praising his teammates than enjoying the spotlight.
"Look at (junior defensive back Brandon) Nash, (junior) Jarvie (Worchester) and Shawn Keel," he said. "They all did a great job. We worked so hard - there's not a single quitter on this team."
Koch is part of a new breed of Arizona defensive players. Despite losing linebackers Marcus Bell and DaShon Polk, UA's defense claims to be hungrier and more physical.
"We have a new attitude," senior defensive lineman Idris Haroon said. "It's a reckless abandonment. Every time we go out there, were going to hit 'em and hit 'em and make them give up."
The Wildcats defense forced two fumbles and had two interceptions on Saturday while failing to turn the ball over.
"On first impression, (Arizona) has the best (defensive backs) in the Pac-10," Koch said. "Our defensive line just fought and fought."
As for his knee, Koch is aware of the pain. Not that it's stopping him from becoming one of the 2000 Wildcat team leaders.
"My knees going to hurt," he said. "but I have a great backup in (freshman linebacker) Joe Siofele. He's going to be the next All-American whip (linebacker)."
